The Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Securities, administers securities laws in the state of Ohio. Under Ohio's Security Act, all securities sold within the state of Ohio must be registered with the Division of Securities, if not exempt pursuant to Ohio state law. Furthermore, the Ohio Security Act requires that all individuals or companies that wish to engage in purchasing, selling, or otherwise providing financial advice to investors regarding securities, must be licensed with the Division of Securities. Therefore, all securities dealers, brokers, financial advisors, and investment officers must be licensed with the Division of Securities, as well as undergo an annual licensing renewal. Furthermore, the Division of Securities employs field examiners who conduct on-site examinations of securities dealers and investment advisors in order to ensure compliance with Ohio's Security Act. The Division of Securities also has an enforcement section, which investigates complaints of Ohio security fraud; depending on the results of the investigation, the Division of Securities can suspend or revoke a license to sell securities in Ohio, and can refer a case for further administrative, civil, and/or criminal action of securities laws have been violated.